International architecture, planning, engineering, interior design and program management firm LEO A DALY welcomes Stephen C. Wright, AIA, as the new managing principal of the Washington, D.C., office. He takes over the role from David N. Zelig, operations director, who has served as acting managing principal of the office for the past 10 months and who will continue on in his operations role.
Wright will oversee the D.C. team in executing federal, local government, private and non-profit projects and pursuing new business opportunities in markets including aviation, corporate and commercial, higher education, hospitality and institutional facilities. The office also serves as the headquarters for LEO A DALY’s international operations, with a focus on large-scale, mixed-use projects throughout China and Hong Kong.
“Steve’s impressive project portfolio, both in the D.C. region and beyond, speaks for itself in terms of the innovative designs he can provide for clients. We are honored to have his leadership to guide our local and international project teams and accelerate the momentum of the D.C. office,” says Charles Dalluge, LEO A DALY executive vice president. “His knowledge and experience in the higher education sector is a unique asset to our firm as we look to expand our client services in this area.”
Most recently, Wright was a principal of Perkins Eastman’s Washington, D.C., office, with a project portfolio including a new dining hall for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the academic master plan for Bowling Green State University, and a new home for the College of Health and Human Services at George Mason University. Prior to that role, he was a partner in his own firm from 1988 to 2010. In his career he has served as design principal for several award-winning student centers, libraries, performing arts, dining and academic projects at prestigious schools, including The College of William and Mary, Georgia Institute of Technology, James Madison University, Old Dominion University, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Stanford University, University of Florida, University of Utah, Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and Tech University.
Wright has received numerous awards for his design work and his commitment to the profession, including the 2008 Distinguished Achievement Award from the American Institute of Architects-Hampton Roads, Va. In 2011, his work received the Interior Design Award from the Virginia Society American Institute of Architects for the design of the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts at James Madison University.
A dedicated supporter of the arts, Wright is former chairman of the Norfolk Public Art Commission and past board member of the Virginia Chorale, the Virginia Symphony and the Virginia Tech Alumni Association. He is also past president of AIA Hampton Roads and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.
Wright received his bachelor of architecture degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.
About LEO A DALY
Established in 1915, LEO A DALY is an international architecture, engineering, and interior design firm. The Company’s portfolio includes award-winning projects in 77 countries and all 50 states. With nearly 900 employees in 31 offices worldwide, the firm ranks in the top 10 largest design firms in the United States and top 25 globally. For more information, visit www.leoadaly.com.
LEO A DALY opened its Washington, D.C., location in 1964, focusing on projects in the aviation, commercial, cultural, federal, hospitality and institutional market sectors. The office also heads LEO A DALY’s international efforts.
Recent projects include:
- 999 Union Square, Washington, D.C.
- McPherson Building, Washington, D.C.
- Center for Leadership Excellence, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, Md.
- Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, Washington, D.C.
- American Society of Clinical Oncology, Alexandria, Va.
- The J. Craig Venter Institute, Building 5, Rockville, Md.
- Shenzhen Excellence Century Center, Shenzhen, China
- TongDa International Center, Xiamen, China
- China Mobile International Information Port Phase II Plot B, Beijing, China
Related Stories
K-12 Schools | May 17, 2023
Designing K-12 schools for students and safety
While bullying, mental health, and other acts of violence are all too common in schools today, designers have shown that smart and subtle preventive steps can make a big difference. Clark Nexsen’s Becky Brady shares how prevention and taking action at the design level can create safe and engaging learning environments.
Affordable Housing | May 17, 2023
Affordable housing advocates push for community-owned homes over investment properties
Panelists participating in a recent webinar hosted by the Urban Institute discussed various actions that could help alleviate the nation’s affordable housing crisis. Among the possible remedies: inclusionary zoning policies, various reforms to increase local affordable housing stock, and fees on new development to offset the impact on public infrastructure.
University Buildings | May 17, 2023
New UC Irvine health sciences building supports aim to become national model for integrative health
The new College of Health Sciences Building and Nursing & Health Sciences Hall at the University of California Irvine supports the institution’s goal of becoming a national model for integrative health. The new 211,660-sf facility houses nursing, medical doctorate, pharmacy, philosophy, and public health programs in a single building.
Sponsored | Building Enclosure Systems | May 16, 2023
4 steps to a better building enclosure
Dividing the outside environment from the interior, the building enclosure is one of the most important parts of the structure. The enclosure not only defines the building’s aesthetic, but also protects occupants from the elements and facilitates a comfortable, controlled climate. With dozens of components comprising the exterior assemblies, from foundation to cladding to roof, figuring out which concerns to address first can be daunting.
Multifamily Housing | May 16, 2023
Legislators aim to make office-to-housing conversions easier
Lawmakers around the country are looking for ways to spur conversions of office space to residential use.cSuch projects come with challenges such as inadequate plumbing, not enough exterior-facing windows, and footprints that don’t easily lend themselves to residential use. These conditions raise the cost for developers.
Headquarters | May 16, 2023
Workplace HQ for party clothing company Shinesty celebrates its bold, whimsical products
The new Denver headquarters for Shinesty, a party clothing company, was designed to match the brand’s fun image with an iconic array of colors, textures, and prints curated by the design agency, Maximalist. Shinesty’s mission, to challenge the world to live more freely and “take itself less seriously,” is embodied throughout the office interior.
Office Buildings | May 15, 2023
Sixteen-story office tower will use 40% less energy than an average NYC office building
This month marks the completion of a new 16-story office tower that is being promoted as New York City’s most sustainable office structure. That boast is backed by an innovative HVAC system that features geothermal wells, dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) units, radiant heating and cooling, and a sophisticated control system to ensure that the elements work optimally together.
Life of an Architect Podcast | May 15, 2023
Life of an Architect Podcast Ep. 125: What Makes a Great Employee?
How do you define a great employee? The answer is most likely dependent on who is attempting to respond: the employee or the employer. Life of an Architect's Bob Borson, FAIA, and Andrew Hawkins, AIA, talk about the traits and characteristics of great employees.
K-12 Schools | May 12, 2023
In Virginia, a new high school building helps reimagine the experience for 1,600 students
In Virginia, the City of Alexandria recently celebrated the topping out of a new building for Alexandria City High School. When complete in 2025, the high-performance structure will accommodate 1,600 students.
University Buildings | May 11, 2023
New ‘bold and twisting’ building consolidates School of Continuing Studies at York University
The design of a new building that consolidates York University’s School of Continuing Studies into one location is a new architectural landmark at the Toronto school’s Keele Campus. “The design is emblematic of the school’s identity and culture, which is centered around accelerated professional growth in the face of a continuously evolving labor market,” according to a news release from Perkins&Will.
